The Anglican Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Province of the Niger, Right Reverend Johnson Ekwe, has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with agitators across the nation with a view to addressing their grievances.
He also called for a revisit and implementation of the 2014 National Conference recommendations to calm rising tensions among ethnic groups across the nation.
Bishop Ekwe gave the advice in an address at the Second Session of the fourth synod of the diocese held at Saint Jude’s Anglican Church, Nando, Anambra East Counci Area of Anambra State.
He urged President Muhammad Buhari to adopt dialogue as strategy in resolving issues affecting ethnic nationalities.
While suggesting that the use of force must be applied with caution, the cleric stressed the need for government to harken to voices calling for dialogue as a more civilised approach to finding lasting solutions to challenges in the country.
“I don’t know how comfortable government is over social unrest in the country. I don’t know how comfortable our politicians are over this matter. The church is sad about it. Synod actually condemns it, and we are asking government to do the needful for peace to reign. We also condemn killing of innocent people and wanton killing of policemen by unknown people. This must not be allowed to continue because life is sacred. These are people’s husbands, brothers and relatives,” he said.
The Prelate, then, urged the government to resort to democratic ideals and due process, which he described as critical to the survival of the nation, in tackling various challenges militating against the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.
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